Payroll Crosses $100M Barrier; Phils Set To Face Bucs

There were ideas the Phils payroll wouldn’t cross the $100M barrier, but now that it has, it’s going to be difficult to turn back. Ryan Howard will ask for even more money in 2009, while Cole Hamels will be pushing for his extension as arbitration lingers.

It’s nice to see the Phillies payroll is now over the $100M barrier, but monetary values aren’t the whole story. It’s about the quality you get with the money you spend; for the most part, I think the Phils do a good job with getting quality and not spending ludicrous amounts of money.

Imagine spending $70M+ for JD Drew, like the Red Sox last year? Though the Sox won the World Series, did Drew and his mounds of money have a lot to do with it?

I’m all for the Phillies spending on players, because usually, it’s the spenders that win games (Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, Tigers). Still, there’s something to be said about spending wisely, and I for one think the Phillies do that well.

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Today the Phillies play the Pirates in game two of the Grapefruit League set.

Five pitchers means we won’t get to see much of all of them, but the important one here has to be Holdzkom. Like Blackley yesterday, Holdzkom will have to impress. Remember, Rule V players are on the 25-man roster the entire year or they’re released. It’s imperative for Holdzkom â€” a sinkerballer from the Sox organization â€” to perform well.

Savery and Outman will be interesting to watch, but not much is riding on their outings. Rosario, however, will have to perform well. A right-handed relief spot is seemingly up for grabs, and he could be the favorite with a strong outing today. If he doesn’t make the team, he has to be let go, as he’s out of options.